Signed today in Megaros Maximos, cooperation agreement for the transfer of know-how in the field of railway transport between the Minister of State of Greece Giorgos Herapetritisresponsible for transport issues and French Minister of Transport Clement Bonne.

The agreement in question will then be fleshed out with more specific agreements between the competent authorities, in particular the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF) and the Hellenic Railway Organization (OSE).

Today’s agreement reads:

– in the prevention of railway accidents,

– in regulating the liability of railway operators,

– in the organization and supervision of railway transport in the field of safety,

– training and education of personnel,

– in the organization of railway traffic control points, and

– in organizing commissions and establishing the procedure for investigating railway accidents.

Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis, in his opening speech, initially referred to the centuries-old friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Tell about her Tragedy on the Tempe Railroad pointing that the position of the Greek government is unshakable in investigating the causes and circumstances of the accident to the end.

“In this context, the judicial investigation continues at a rapid pace, and a few weeks ago, an ad hoc independent committee of experts presented an administrative opinion detailing the human errors and systemic shortcomings of the Greek railway, many of which are of a long-term nature,” the minister said, and also told about the “safe restart of the Greek railway”.

Here is the opening statement of the Minister of State:

Dear Minister,

Dear Clement,

It is a great pleasure and honor for me to welcome you today to the Maxima Palace, the seat of the Greek government, and once again to consolidate the centuries-old friendship and cooperation that our countries maintain at the level, among other things, historical, cultural, values ​​and strategic.

In solving problems, we have always had a common understanding and close cooperation, a practice that has been confirmed in our very recent history, when we jointly solved the problems created by modern health crises, energy, international geopolitical events, but also in our national issues.

The Tempe train derailment on February 28 was an unprecedented national tragedy that affected us all. And precisely because of the magnitude of this tragedy, the unjust loss of 57 of our brothers, the pain continues to weigh on all of us.

The unshakable position of the Greek government is to investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident to the end. In this regard, the judicial investigation continues at a rapid pace, and a few weeks ago, an ad hoc independent committee of experts issued an administrative opinion detailing the human errors and systemic shortcomings of the Greek railways, many of which are long-term. We have already moved forward to reopen the railroad with enhanced safety by ensuring the timely completion of the new signaling and remote control systems on the rail’s main axis. French companies, which have undertaken a significant part of this modernization, are also actively contributing to this goal.

However, a significant and qualitative upgrade of the functionality and safety of the Greek railway requires regular re-evaluation and adjustment based on data from each era. To do this, it is necessary to apply international best practices with the transfer of know-how, as well as human resources. In this context, the French Ministry of Transport, with its experience, and the French Railways, with its high international prestige and experience, are our valuable assistants.

After a telephone conversation between the President of France and the Prime Minister of Greece, we met, Mr. Minister, at the beginning of last month and had the opportunity to discuss ways of substantive cooperation.

Today, after creative preparation, we are in an extremely favorable position to sign a cooperation agreement between the two ministries, which will then be supplemented by more specific agreements between the relevant bodies, in particular the Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF). and the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE).

Our current agreement reads:

• in the prevention of railway accidents,
• in regulating the liability of railway operators,
• in the organization and supervision of railway transport in the field of safety,
• in staff training and education,
• in the organization of railway traffic control points
• and in organizing committees and establishing procedures for investigating railway accidents.

In the hope that this agreement will be the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation that will increase the level of rail traffic, many thanks to you, Mr. Minister, as well as to all members of the French delegation.

With information from APE-MPE

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